I had a great job.
I worked with kids from the local high school who came to college to do Childcare. They were not the easiest bunch of kids but in five years no one ever failed and I loved my job.The course was a great introduction and it suited them ideally and within the college system most settled down and behaved.
Then the school decided to run the course themselves, so my job no longer existed after this present year 11 finished their exams in May.
I was gutted.
I was offered another job, teaching childcare, but this time the school bought into the college provision but you teaching the school. I was not convinced. I was even less convinced when I found out it was a school I resigned from six years ago. I was not particularly encouraged when I saw the course, it was not as suitable as the one I always ran.
It was an auspicious start.
I should have known.
Experience should have told me.
A bunch of kids who have seen about 7 teachers are not going to be a walk over.
The newer group were hard work, mainly because they were under the misapprehension that Childcare was playing with babies. Erm, sorry girls. They 'loved' the first lesson on the differences between statutory, voluntary and state provision for Children 0-16.....not! After all, what 14 year old would ?
Anyway, a month in, and I have just about won them over. Just about. I say this touching wood because I now wont see them for 8 weeks.
Who knows what they will be like in September.
The next group were not so easy.
The first week as okay till near the end where they tried it on, but I managed them.
The next week was awful, they obviously had decided they would push me.
The third session was better as I had called prior to the lesson for the year head and year mentors help. They came in and they genuinely had an effect and the lesson was great.
Yesterday not so.
It started fine, then they refused flatly to write anymore. I mean FLATLY. Then they asked me if I hated them. No, I said, I don't hate anyone, but I do dislike your behaviour at times. They asked why I had called the management. I said because they were being disruptive and I want to be able to teach. I then tried unsuccessfully to continue the lesson. They talked, loudly, refused to stop, so again I had to phone for help. Help came after the longest 10 mins of my life where they moaned, groaned called me just about every name, sang, threw a paper aeroplane and argued with me (well tried as I refused to join in) The deputy head came and took out two, and spoke to the rest. The minute they had left, 10 closed ranks and for the rest of the session (45 mins) refused to do a thing. I tried to teach the 5 who wanted to learn but every time I spoke, this group took over and spoke louder.I continued against the back lash and completed the unit work.
It was awful.
I came home drained and wondering what sort of society we live in where children can have this much power and disregard for anyone else's feelings.
I was soo tempted to pack up all my things and tell them in no uncertain terms where they could stick the childcare course, but of course I didn't. I thought it, but my professional integrity took over, thankfully.
Do I want to go back?
Nope.
But I have to at least give it another go, I guess.
I spent five hours planning that course, getting the notes ready, downloading videos and preparing work. I left my twins to go and teach, and come away with very little in return.
Soul destroying doesn't come near it.
Don't get me wrong, most classes and schools are not like this. But when you hit 'the ' class it's hard, really , really hard.
I worked with kids from the local high school who came to college to do Childcare. They were not the easiest bunch of kids but in five years no one ever failed and I loved my job.The course was a great introduction and it suited them ideally and within the college system most settled down and behaved.
Then the school decided to run the course themselves, so my job no longer existed after this present year 11 finished their exams in May.
I was gutted.
I was offered another job, teaching childcare, but this time the school bought into the college provision but you teaching the school. I was not convinced. I was even less convinced when I found out it was a school I resigned from six years ago. I was not particularly encouraged when I saw the course, it was not as suitable as the one I always ran.
It was an auspicious start.
I should have known.
Experience should have told me.
A bunch of kids who have seen about 7 teachers are not going to be a walk over.
The newer group were hard work, mainly because they were under the misapprehension that Childcare was playing with babies. Erm, sorry girls. They 'loved' the first lesson on the differences between statutory, voluntary and state provision for Children 0-16.....not! After all, what 14 year old would ?
Anyway, a month in, and I have just about won them over. Just about. I say this touching wood because I now wont see them for 8 weeks.
Who knows what they will be like in September.
The next group were not so easy.
The first week as okay till near the end where they tried it on, but I managed them.
The next week was awful, they obviously had decided they would push me.
The third session was better as I had called prior to the lesson for the year head and year mentors help. They came in and they genuinely had an effect and the lesson was great.
Yesterday not so.
It started fine, then they refused flatly to write anymore. I mean FLATLY. Then they asked me if I hated them. No, I said, I don't hate anyone, but I do dislike your behaviour at times. They asked why I had called the management. I said because they were being disruptive and I want to be able to teach. I then tried unsuccessfully to continue the lesson. They talked, loudly, refused to stop, so again I had to phone for help. Help came after the longest 10 mins of my life where they moaned, groaned called me just about every name, sang, threw a paper aeroplane and argued with me (well tried as I refused to join in) The deputy head came and took out two, and spoke to the rest. The minute they had left, 10 closed ranks and for the rest of the session (45 mins) refused to do a thing. I tried to teach the 5 who wanted to learn but every time I spoke, this group took over and spoke louder.I continued against the back lash and completed the unit work.
It was awful.
I came home drained and wondering what sort of society we live in where children can have this much power and disregard for anyone else's feelings.
I was soo tempted to pack up all my things and tell them in no uncertain terms where they could stick the childcare course, but of course I didn't. I thought it, but my professional integrity took over, thankfully.
Do I want to go back?
Nope.
But I have to at least give it another go, I guess.
I spent five hours planning that course, getting the notes ready, downloading videos and preparing work. I left my twins to go and teach, and come away with very little in return.
Soul destroying doesn't come near it.
Don't get me wrong, most classes and schools are not like this. But when you hit 'the ' class it's hard, really , really hard.
It's scary what sort of society were living in!!! And until teachers are giving some sort of authority back I can only see it getting worse :(
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